Swimming or surf boat



April 16, 1929. J. E. WRIGHT SWIMMING 0R SURF BOAT Filed Aug. 27, 1927 INVNToR. d. E. WR /GHT A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

`JAMES E. WRIGHT, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SWIMMING on suer BOAT.

Application filed August 27, 1927. Serial No. 215,815.

This invention relates to improvements in swimming boats. i

rIhe general object of this invention is to provide an improved surf or other boat which may be propelled by the occupant paddling it with bare hands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a boat of theclass described which is provided vwith a sedan top and wherein imlo proved vmeans is provided for securing the top of the hull. l i

A further object of the invention is to pro` vide an improved sedan surf boat wherein thetop may be quickly removed and the hull only used when desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sedan surf boat having means provided thereon for using it as a coaster on a chute. l j

Other objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through my improved device showing it in use.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device showing the manner of propelling the device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe device on a reduced scale. v j

Fig. 4 is a. top plan view of the device as shown in Fig.` 3. 4

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but on a reduced scale showing the top opened to allow entrance or exit to the boat.

Fig. C is a side elevation ofthe boat with the sedan top removed. j

Fig. 7 is a section taken online` 7 7 of Fig. 1 showing one of the latch mechanisms.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8`8 of Fig. 7 showing a top view of the latch and the operating pedal.

Fig. 9 is a face view of the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 7` and 8 and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section showing the hinge which connectsthe top to the hull.

Referring to the `drawings by reference characters I have indicated my improved surf boat generally at 10. TheV device 10 consists of a hull 11 having a top 12 secured thereto by a hinge 18 Vwhich includes a removable pintle 13.

The hull 11 includes a Water tight air chamber 14 and a passenger compartment 15 in which I preferably provide a cushion 16 which may be made of lrapok or any other suitable material. Around the edge' of the passenger compartment or cockpit 15 I provide a-coaming 17 which includes a member 18 on the inner side (see Figs. 7 and 10). The member 18 Vextends completely around the cockpit and -forms a groove in which is positioned a U-shaped packing member 19 which is preferably made of rubber.

The top 12 includes a watertight air 'chamber 20 and a cab portion 21. The lower edges ofthe top material are preferably bent back upon itself to reenforceit. These edges are positioned in the U-shaped lpacking 19 when the top is in a closed position.

It will be understood that I may provide a plurality of watertight air compartments in either the hull 11 or the top 12 instead of the single compartment in each as shown in the drawing at 14 and 20. v

For retaining the top 12 in a closed positie `I provide a plurality of latch mechanisms indicated generally at`22 and shown in detail in F igs. 7, 8 and 9. Fach of the mechanisms 22 include a latch`28 pivotally connectedto the side ofthe top 12 as at 24. The latch 23 is provided with a lip 25 which is adapted to con tact with a reenforcing member 28 secured to theunderside of the member18. The lip 25 of the latch is preferably so shaped that when the top is let down on the hull the latch 28, when it strikes the top of the member 18, will be moved inward and pass over the member 18 to lock the top in closedposition. For

normally retaining the latch 28 in a locked position I provide a flat `spring 27 secured to the side of the top and which contacts with a, projection 28 on the latch 28. j

j For releasing all of the latch mechanisms 22 I provide on each side of the top adjacent the mechanisms 22 a` rod 8O slidably `sup-` ported in bearings 31 secured to the sideof the top 12. Secured to the rod 30 adjacent each latch 28 I provide a wedge member 32 which is adapted to contact with the projection 28 of the latch and force the lip 25 out of engagement with the member 26 when the rod 30l is moved in the correct direction. For actuating each of the rods 30 I providelevers 84 pivoted to the side of the top as at 3B and including a foot pedal as shown. Each of the rods are slaclrly linkedto the lever 88 as at 85. The levers 38 are preferably positioned towards the rear of the cockpit 15 and are adapted to be actuated` by the occupants feet. Secured to the outside of the top 12 adjacent the edges where they fit within the packing 19 I may provide a resilient shield 36 (Fig. 7

which is adaptedplto fit over the edge of the coaming and tightly enga the" same when the top is closed as shown in Fig. 7.

, The front and a portion of the sides of the cab portion 21 ofthe top are preferably provided with transparent closures o`r windows 37 and overthe cab portion 21 I provide a false roof V38 spaced from the top'12 and f Whichprojects over the sides andout in front as at 39to torina sun visor. Air may circulatebetween the `als`e`,'roo'f and the top 'which will tend to leepjit cool Within 'the cab portion 21.

y lForjvelitilation I provide a duct; orlpals-A sageway 40 which 'extends from' the interior Y of the topl 12 from 'adjacent the stern, through th' air; Chafiliei" 20.16 th @ab prton 2L Within the''pas sa-,f geviiiy 40 'I' provide a. pivoted bottom of'j thejpas'sagewayf40 and which, Shuld the` boat Qcapsize, visafdapted` to swing Y acrossthe passageway andcontac't with a het '42 fand preventy rkWater from entering the interior ofY the"bc'iat,y l v Airlpisaseiays@ similari@ the pSS's'- Way 40, only' shdrter, are' provided in the sides l of the cab portion 2,1; 'Ihe'se passageways 44 are pdvided 'withfflap valves45 similar to the valv`e"41`iln thepassagevvay 40.

propelliiigvmy device, 1() Il providean aperti'l'reI 4 6 ach' `sideof the hull 11' through Whic'hfthe occupant may entend his arms and mayI propel himself, by sn'iall i'anLIike oars held `the'hands, or paddliiigw'ith the hands alone,"as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figq2, I may provide Waterv proof sleeves 47 4 Wheels 49'may`be provided'oiijt ie'bottom o thehrillllso'that theboat can be used to coast` l downa ,chiite into,tliewateiiy Of course it iiiateaeatifaywhen desired;-

willA be'uiiderstood' that the wheels' 49' may be viagihe hingspin'ae 13" aitop 12 may b epmpiaelyremovedfem the 11h11 11 arid'tlieliull only usedas'shownin Fig. 6; As

thei,latcliniecliaiiisiiis V23," rods 30y and levers are yattached-to'the 12 itfwill, all berer'noved' 'with ythe .top and' leaveA an uniril'lSBlClr..V Y j Y Froidthel foregoing"description itv willV be .apparentthat Ilfhaveprovided an improved siiiffv o'nother boat 'which' comprises `many' "ovel .featuresand which 1s simple in' con- Having thus"` described invention, lim: i

1. In a device of the class described, n hull, said hull including-a cockpit and an airtight chamber, a top adapted to fit over said cockpit, releasable means for retaining said top in watertight engagement with said hull, said top including a cab portion and an air tight chamber and means to ventilate said cockpit and said cab portion, said Ventilating means adapted to actuate to ventilate only when said 'device is righ'tside up.

2. In a water vehicle, a. hull, said hull including a cockpit and an air tight chamber, a top over said cockpit, a plurality of latch mechanisms for retaining said top rigidto said hull, said top including a cab ortinn 'and an air tight chamber, said cab lncluding a transparent portion, means to ventilato said cockpit and 'saidcab portion, said Ventilating meansadapted'to actuate to` ventilate only when said device is right side up.

3. In a device of the class described, ahull, said hull including a'c'ockpit and an air tight chamber, a top adaptcdto fit over said Codrpit, said top being pivoted to said hull and means to form a watertight joint between saidhull and said top, means for retaining said top rigid on 'said hull, said means includ# ing a pluralit f of latch mechanisms, saidlltbp including a ca i portion andan air ltight-chainbcr, said cab including a transparent closure and means to'vcntilate said cockpit and said cab portion.

4. In a device of the class described, a-hull, said hull'including a cockpit and an air tight chamber, a cushion in said cockpit, a top adapted to {it over said cockpit, said top being pivoted to saidhull and'means to form a watertight joint between said hull and said top, a plurality of latch mechanisms on each side of said cockpit for retaining said to rigid to said hull, said top including a cali portionand an air tight chamber, a false rdof positioned over said cab portion and siaccd from the top thereof,'an aperturein cacli side of said hull adjacent said cab portion for the passage therethroulh of an occupants arms, flexible waterproo sleeves positioned over each of said apertures and a plurality1 of spaced Wheels on said hull whereby said de'- ice may be readily moved over a solid snrace.

Y 5. In a device ofthe class described, a hull, said hull including aA cockpit and an air ti'ght chamber, a top adapted to lit over said coltpit, said top being pivotcdvto said hull and means to form a watertight joint betwcen'snid hull and said top, rcleasable means on said top engaging other means on, said hull for retaining said top to said hull, said to i cluding a cab portion and an air ti litc ber, a false roof positioned over sai 'cab portion and spaced from the top` thereof, a. part of the sides and front of said cab portion iliclu'ding transparent closures, an a `rtue in each side of said hull adjacent saidzeca'b portion for the passage therethrough oit an occupants arms, flexible waterproof sleeves positionetl over cach of said apertures, and a plurality of spaced wheels on said hull whereby said device may be readily moved over a solid surface.

6. ln a device ot the class described, a hull, said hull including a cockpit and an air tight chamber, a top pivotally mounted on said cockpit, means to form a watertight joint between said hull and said top, means for retaining said top rigid on said hull, said means including a plurality of latch mechanisms, said top including a cab portion and an air tight chamber, said cab including a transparent closure, means to vcntilate said cock pit and said cab portion, said means includ.- ing a longitudinal duct formed in said air tight chamber ot' said top forming a passageway from the exterior of said top to the interior o'l said cab portion, a valve in said passageway, said valve including a pivoted member and a gasket, saidvalve being adapted when said device is right side up to allow iree passage of air through said duct, and said valve being adapted when said device is bottomside up to obstruct the passage throughV said duct, other Ventilating ducts in each side of said cab portion, said other ducts including valves, an aperture in each side of said hull adjacent said cab portion for the passage therethrough of an occupants arms and flexible waterproof sleeves positioned over each of said apertures.

7. ln a' device of the class described, a hull, said hull including a cockpit and an air tight chamber, a top adapted to lit over said cockpit, said top being pivoted to said hull, means to form a watertight, joint between said hull and said top, a plurality ot latch mechanisms on each side ot said cockpit tor retaining said top rigid to said hull, an operating member connected to the latch mechanisms of each side, a pivoted lever attached to said operating member, said lever being positioned at i the after end oit said cockpit, said levers, op-

erating members and the movable parts of said latch mechanisms all being supported by said top, said top including a cab portion and an air tight chamber, a false root positioned over said cab portion and spaced from the top thereof, a part of the sides and vliront of said cab portion including transparent closures, means to ventilate said cockpit and said cab portion, said means including a longi tudinal duct 'formed in said air tight compartment of said top forming a passageway tioned duct, an aperture in each side of said hull adjacent said cab portion for the passage therethrough of an occupants arms, flexible water proof sleeves positioned over each of said apertures, and a plurality ot spaced wheels on said hull whereby said device inay be readily moved over a solid surface.

8. In a device of the class described, ahull, said hull including a cockpit and an airtight chamber, a cushion in said cockpit, a top adapted to fit over said cockpit, means to secure said top to said hull and means to form a watertight joint between said hull and said top, said securing means including a plurality of latch mechanisms on each side of said cockpit for retaining said top rigid to said hull, said top including a cap portion and an airtight chamber and toot operated means for releasing said securing means.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiix my signature.

JAMES E. VRIGHT. 

